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Daily Current Affairs for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, BPSC, MPPSC, RPSC and All State PCS Examinations

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Section : GS Paper - 2 (International Relations - IR)

Topic: Two Nations leading the World into Post Covid Era

Context: Recently, Western countries blamed China for worldwide spread of Covid-19 and warned that they will take required actions in response. While at LAC(Line of Actual Control), Indian and Chinese troops entered into standoff against each other at Ladakh Valley which became violent and nearly 100 soldiers reported injured on both sides, later led to Military escalations between two countries.

Covid-19 and China connection

• In late 2019, the cases of flu and respiratory infections were on rise at the city of Wuhan in Central China.
• Early research confirmed that it’s novel corona virus, a group of related RNA viruses that are transferred from bats, pangolins and other wild animals which are sold in wet markets of Wuhan.
• The outbreak happened at Wuhan and later spread to other parts of the world in background of delays in following social distancing norms and travel bans.
• As the outbreak took shape of a pandemic affecting more than 5 million people and causing death to more than 350000 lives, countries blamed China for misguiding the world into the state of crisis.
• The Chinese government took considerable time to inform its own people of the emergence of COVID-19 and the failure to inform the global community in a timely manner is witnessed as the absence of collaborative intent on the part of China even on issues when there is no clash with its ‘core’ national interest.
• It has led to economical losses too as nations have to helplessly follow lockdown norms, which again created pressure on China, as many countries are imposing sanctions particularly trade both in fear of further spread of virus and in response to their economic losses.
• US president went further and called it a Chinese Virus in order to contain China and thus extend trade war between the two.

COVID-19 Reshaping Indo-China Relations

The COVID-19 crisis is potentially leading us towards reshaping global order, affecting each life in a manner possible and thus even Indo-China relations can’t escape that. Corona outbreak acted as a catalyst for the process of engagements between two countries.

Here are some steps taken by both countries which march towards strengthening the relations:

• Indian government has been careful by not joining US & other countries in blaming China for the corona-virus or its propagation.
• India following the principal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam sent an Indian Air Force aircraft with 15 tonnes of vital medical equipment to China.
• India has lifted or made exceptions to its export restrictions on certain drugs assistance to China. China is important for Indian pharmaceutical industry as most of advanced Pharmaceutical Ingredients/materials are imported from China.
• Chinese authorities have helped Indian Embassy in safe return of Indians stranded during outbreak in various parts of China.
• China has offered its assistance to India in fight against Covid-19.
• China has announced 2Billion USD funds for WHO, which will be helpful for developing countries like India as WHO runs various health related programs in India.

Here are some incidences which proved to be distancing the two countries

• India has taken some measures to contain the efforts of China which were taking advantage of the crisis -->

1. Indian government has announced restrictions on FDI from countries that share a land boundary with India , a move clearly directed against China as it was taking advantage especially by making investment in Indian share market when it was hit by pandemic and going through its lowest point. For ex- Before restrictions, Chinese Central bank has brought 1.01% share in Indian Bank HDFC as its share prices were trading at their lowest.
2. Similar acquisition by China of other vulnerable Indian companies.
3. China has also been proactive in its neighbourhood with diplomatic outreach, economic aid, technical assistance, and the provision of medical supplies. India’s ability to respond to the contest for influence and over political systems will depend on how India performs in containing this crisis.

• Though China has offered assistance to India but India is avoiding because it has shown faulty results in Italy and Spain which has led to disastrous situation there.
• China is portraying its system and global and regional leadership role as more effective and superior than others (targeting Indian and US system).
• China is seen as player behind the curtain in worsening the Indo-Nepal relations which is currently facing doldrums on issue of border at kalapani region, which emerged at the time of this pandemic crisis.
• Escalation of military stand-off at Ladakh region is seen as unnecessary attempt to deviate the focus from real invisible enemy i.e. novel corona-virus.
• Chinese president officially calling its army to prepare for war is expected to militarise the zone further.

These increasing engagements between the two countries in the span of short period of time in the background of Covid-19 crisis has lead to rapid downfall of relations between India and China.

India-China military stand-off at LADAKH

• The recent military stand off is because of dispute on Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China.

LAC and Dispute

• The Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the disputed boundary between India and China.
• The LAC is divided into three sectors: western, middle and eastern.
• China accused the Indian Army of “attempting to unilaterally change the status” of the LAC.
• The countries disagree on the exact location of the LAC in various areas,

• India claims that the LAC is 3,488 km long,
• China believes it to be around 2,000 km long.

• China in order to hinder the construction of road, which connects Leh to the Karakoram Pass, have moved their troops in the region.
• One of the complicated and most disputed region where LAC passes is through Pangong Tso Lake. This is where Chinese took offensive in 1962 war.

Current Situation

• China is increasing the presence of its troops at precedential rate in the region.
• Chinese president has called army to get prepared for war like situations has further escalated the stand-off.
• Indian army is confronting the region by following ‘Mirror Deployment’. Mirror deployment is matching any move of the Chinese with our own i.e. mirroring the moves made by Chinese on Indian side with deploying equal number of Indian troops in the region.

Way Forward for both Nations

• China needs to acknowledge that global scenario in the backdrop of Covid-19 is not in its favour.
• India need to contain assertive China wherever it shows bullying characteristics.
• India has full right to carry out any work on its territory or building road near border which china has done in recent past. India and China could use this as an opportunity to clarify everlasting LAC dispute to avoid future resistances.
• Huge economic interest are involved between two neighbour countries, escalating wars will hugely damage their economies which is already in bad shape due to corona outbreak.
• Both countries need to capture the opportunity this pandemic has provided apart from involving themselves in stand-offs.
• USA, Germany and Britain opting out of major global platforms (Eg. USA halting funds to WHO during such a crisis) providing a major opportunity for these two asian giants to become a global leader in the time of crisis.
• International Politics is facing the crisis of global leadership, which should be filled by India and China.
• Both countries should work toward full-proofing the vulnerabilities that are exposed by Corona outbreak.
• As the only two major developing countries with a population of over one billion and important representatives of emerging economies, India-China relations surpass the bilateral dimension and assume global and strategic significance.
• India and China both have largely became successful in containment of the virus while comparing with most developed nations shows their potential to lead the world out of this crisis.

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Section : GS Paper - 3 (Economy)

Topic: Catalyzing Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) in India

IN NEWS

• In a first, NITI Aayog, in association with Agami and Omidyar Network India, brought together key stakeholders in a virtual meeting on 6 June 2020 for advancing online dispute resolution in India.

ABOUT

• ODR is the resolution of disputes, particularly small- and medium-value cases, using digital technology and techniques of alternate dispute resolution (ADR), such as negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. While courts are becoming digitized through the efforts of the judiciary, more effective, scalable, and collaborative mechanisms of containment and resolution are urgently needed.
• ONLINE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (ODR) can help resolve disputes efficiently and affordably. Senior judges of the Supreme Court, secretaries from key government ministries, leaders of industry, legal experts, and general counsels of leading enterprises, explored the opportunities and specifics of what lies ahead.
• The common theme was a multi-stakeholder agreement to work collaboratively to ensure efforts are taken to scale online dispute resolution in India.
• Covid-19 has instilled an urgent need for ODR that requires decisive action, with the likelihood of a spurt in disputes before the courts—most notably in lending, credit, property, commerce, and retail. In the coming months, ODR could be the mechanism that helps with achieving expedient resolution.
• The seminal meeting generated tremendous recognition of the opportunity that ODR presents in India. A multi-stakeholder exercise will be undertaken in the coming weeks to help achieve this in a sustainable, efficient and collaborative manner for the transformation of justice delivery across various facets.

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTES RESOLUTION

• The nomenclature alternative dispute resolution refers to any means of setting disputes outsides the formal Courts/ Tribunals established by the State in exercise of its sovereign function to decide disputes between citizens and also disputes between itself and citizen.
• There are two types of dispute resolution RDR and ADR. RDR means Regular Dispute Resolution which refers to the resolution of dispute through regular judicial proceedings or through the formal legal system and ADR means Alternative Dispute Resolution which is an alternative to the Formal Legal System.

ONLINE ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

• Online Dispute Resolution (“ODR”) comes as the newest entrant to the family of ADR. ODR essentially is a techno-savvy mechanism for resolving disputes by using:

1. internet related tools like e-mail; and
2. videoconferencing and teleconferencing. But just like litigation and other ADR mechanisms, ODR is plagued by a number of problems.

• The disputes that can be resolved through ODR are those arising out of online contracts, software development, cybersquatting, consumer complaints, domain name disputes, intellectual property disputes and issues such as censorship, privacy, fraud, ecommerce, etc. Globally, at present the two approaches adopted by disputants to ODR are:

• non-adjudicative ADR, which focus on negotiation and mediation; and
• Arbitration, which is adjudicative.

• Currently the National Internet Exchange of India (“NIXI”) uses only the second approach. Arbitration, negotiation and mediation may work when the system develops and the process of ODR has evolved further.

ADVANTAGES OF ODR:

• Economically viable: Money is one of the most crucial factors in dispute resolution, as disputants like to reach an optimal decision at the lowest possible price.The costs related to travel and accommodation, venue for conducting the proceedings etc is also eliminated.
• Speedy resolution: One of the main advantages of ODR over conventional ADR is that it is less-time consuming. Where, in ADR it may take many months to resolve a dispute, ODR promises settlement of disputes within a few weeks. Further, the borderless nature of the internet diminishes the communication problems faced by parties and their counsels who may be located in different time zones.
• Non-confrontational mechanism: By eleminating the physical presence of the adversary, ODR enables the adjudicating body to dispassionately resolve the dispute, purely on basis of the merits of the case.
• Neutral forum: The internet offers a neutral forum for adjudication and the “home advantage” for both the parties.
• Facilitates record keeping: ODR facilitates the process of maintaining the record of the correspondences, pleadings, statements, and other written, oral or visual communications, by relying solely on digital records. This in-turn saves time and money of the parties.
• Win-Win Both the party enjoys speedy win win situation as use to be in ADR.

DRAWBACKS AND CHALLENGES:

• DIGITAL Literacy-India lacks digital literacy which will be a bigger hindrance in accessibility to ODR.
• Lack of human interaction and miscommunication: The lack of face-to-face interactive environment deprives the adjudicating authority of the opportunity to evaluate the credibility of parties and the witnesses.
• Cultural Challenges- These are the challenges that are predominantly found in the developing nations of the continents of Asia, Africa and Latin America. The people have lack of confidence over the online activities and hence their contribution to this field remains less.
• Limited category of disputes: Like ADR, ODR is also best suited to resolve only certain types of disputes, like, e-commerce and domain name disputes. The ODR mechanism may not be suitable for resolving every kind of online dispute.
• Inadequate authenticity mechanism: Closely related to the issue of security is the issue of authentic identification of the user. In an ADR process, one party can be certain that the other party it is dealing with is the party actually involved in the dispute.
• Jurisdiction: Internet being a borderless medium transcends and challenges traditional concepts of jurisdiction. This leads to problem in deciding the applicable substantive law which is to be applied to the dispute.
• Place of Proceeding: Constitutes a core element on which numerous legal implications depend. If proceedings are conducted entirely online with parties and neutral in distinct places, prima facie, it seems difficult to determine place of proceedings.
• Publication of proceedings and award: If ODR is to be encouraged as a popular mode of dispute resolution, details of proceedings and decisions would be required to be published which ensures transparency. But, this contradicts the very essence of ODR, which is respecting the confidentiality and right to privacy of the parties.
• Difficulty in enforcement of online awards: Like ADRs, in the case of online arbitrations, once the decision has been rendered, the same has to be enforced in the appropriate court. In several jurisdictions, including India, the orders in execution are subject to appeals and this serves to protract the process of execution.
• Challenging an award: Since ODR proceedings are conducted online, another issue requiring clarity is the intervention of a court during or after the completion of the proceedings and/or pronouncement of the decision. This will again raise the question of:

• the enforcement of the decision of the court in the country where the opposite party operates/resides; and
• Appeals against the decision of the court and enforcement of the said decision.

SUGGESTIONS:

• Creation of national and international body: By an international treaty of the community of nations, an international ODR body needs to be created which would establish its own substantive and procedural law. Every member country should have a national body conducting ODRs, providing the infrastructural facilities and the panel of arbitrators/mediators, based upon the guidelines set out in the treaty to which the country is a signatory/member.
• ODR mechanism in order to fasten its leg needs mass awareness and training through social media, education, street plays, advertisement, conferences, workshops and campaigns etc at gross root level. Participation of government also plays very important role to grant financial aid to ODR projects and to assist in creating technical and administrative infrastructure required to set up an ODR process.
• “Due process” and “fair play”: To be a successful means of resolving disputes, ODR must satisfy all requirements of “due process” and “fair play,” such as the appointment of an unbiased decision maker to settle disputes by allowing parties to choose from a panel of arbitrators or mediators, which may be made available on the website of the ODR provider; providing background information of arbitrators or mediators to facilitate the process of selection; and pronouncing a reasoned decision.
• Security Technology: ODR providers should be certain that they adopt security mechanisms to ensure the safety of the parties information, such as, allow only authorized digital signature ,access to their websites and adopt the latest security technology available and update it regularly.The verifying authority should be technologically sound in delivering the justice.

CONCLUSION

• Indian judiciary suffers from a serious backlog and overload of cases, which is mainly due to less number of judges and insufficient infrastructure which is unable to handle the caseload. India being a developing country, going through major economic reforms within the framework of the rule of law, for expeditious resolution of disputes and lessening the burden on the courts, alternative and online mechanisms for resolution (ADR) are the only alternative through arbitration, conciliation, mediation and negotiation.
• Alternative and online Dispute Resolution mechanism (ADR) is not a replacement of litigation; rather it would be used to make our traditional court systems work more efficiently and effectively.
• Digital infrastructure, use of Bharat NET and common service center can play game changing role in providing accessibility to justice and its delivery.
• Therefore not only in this pandemic crisis but also post pandemic crises Online dispute resolution should be seen and developed as potential alternative to traditional judicial system in India.

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Section : GS Paper - 3 (Social Issues)

Topic: Role of NGO's in Crises Management

IN NEWS

• Recently it has been seen that civil society, and voluntary and Non-Government Organizations (NGO) constitute the backbone of the collective articulation of citizen interest in a democracy. As facilitators, mediators, and advocators of this interest, they have put people before everything else during this crisis.

ABOUT NGO

• The World Bank defines NGOs as “Private organizations that pursue activities to relieve suffering, promote the interests of the poor, protect the environment, provide basic social services, or undertake community development.” In wider usage, the term, „NGO‟ can be applied to any non-profit organization which is independent from government. NGOs are typically value based organizations which depend, in whole or in part, on donations and voluntary service.
• The United Nations describes an NGO as: Any non-profit, voluntary citizens' group which is organized on a local, national or international level. Task-oriented and driven by people with a common interest, NGOs perform a variety of services and humanitarian functions, bring citizens‟ concerns to governments, monitor policies and encourage political participation at the community level. They provide analysis and expertise, serve as early warning mechanisms and help monitor and implement international agreements.

NGO type by orientation:

Charitable orientation: It often involves a top – down paternalistic effort with little participation by the “beneficiaries”. It includes NGOs with activities like food, clothing, and housing of needy. Such NGOs may also undertake relief activities during a natural or manmade disaster.

• Service orientation: It includes NGOs with activities such as the provision of health, family planning or education service in which the program is designed by the NGO and people are expected to participate in its implementation and in receiving the service.
• Participatory orientation: It includes NGOs with participation of local people in organization‟s activities. It is characterized by self – help projects where local people are involved particularly in the implementation of project by contributing cash, tools, land, materials, labor, etc.
• Empowering orientation: It is where the aim is to help poor people develop a clearer understanding of the social, political and economic factors affecting their lives, and to strengthen their awareness of their own potential power to control their lives.

NGO type by level of Operation

• Community-Based Organization: CBOs arise out of people‟s own initiatives. These can include sports clubs, women‟s organizations, neighbourhood organizations, religious or educational organizations.
• City Wide Organization: It includes organizations like Rotary or Lion‟s Club, Chamber of Commerce and industry, coalitions of business, ethnic or educational groups and associations of community organizations. Some exist for other purposes, and become involved in helping the poor as one of many activities, while others are created for the specific purpose of helping the poor.
• National NGOs: It includes organizations such as Red Cross, YMCAs / YWCAs, professional organizations, etc.
• International NGOs: These ranges from secular agencies such as CARE, Ford and Rockefeller Foundations to religiously motivated groups. Their activities vary from mainly funding local NGOs, institutions and projects, to implementing the projects themselves.

Two broad groups of NGOs are identified by the World Bank:

• Operational NGOs, which focus on development projects.
• Advocacy NGOs, which are organized to promote particular causes.

NGO DURING COVID-19 CRISIS

• Chief Secretaries of all states were requested to engage NGOs in relief and response efforts and designate state and district nodal officers to coordinate with them. The approach was to leverage the strength and reach of the local NGOs in identifying priority areas for action and avoid duplicity of efforts.
• The NGOs performed various functions for the benefit of society in Covid-19 crisis. The range of NGO activities was huge and was spread in all fields: environment concern, age care, rural development, health, culture and heritage, women empowerment, child care and upliftment, basic e- education to all children, animal welfare, disaster management and many more.
• India, being a largely populated country, it is not easy to meet all social and human needs by the government without help of NGOs during lockdown. NGO took efforts to satisfy the needs of a common man and development of nation by undertaking various projects and thus helps the Government to fulfill its objectives.
• COVID-19 and lockdown was sudden and unprecedented situation which Neither Indian Government or Citizen ever faced.NGO were helping hands in government’s effort to mitigate shelter, food and health issue to citizen as well as animals.
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in states and Union Territories provided meals to more people than what their respective state governments did during the nationwide lockdown that started on March 25 in the wake of the rapidly spreading novel coronavirus pandemic.
• Apart from providing meals to the needy, NGOs across the country also opened relief or shelter homes for people to take refuge. The analysis of the central government's reply shows that 10.37 lakh people in India took refuge in shelter homes provided by state governments and NGOs. Of these 10.37 lakh, or 39.14 per cent, are staying in camps set up by NGOs.
• Many stray animals like dogs, cows etc. were roaming in hunger in search of food, fodder, and water. NGOs that work to better the lives of animals are now actively doing their bit. With crowd funded initiatives and donations, and with the help of selfless volunteers.
• Many NGO helped frontline workers including doctors, police personnel; Sanitation workers etc. stay safe with PPE, distributing dry rations to feed the needy, raising awareness.
• Many NGO and self-help groups (SHGs) came forward and started making MASK and PPE kit.
• Many NGO showed courage and empathy towards the needy and old people in containment zone and provided help by taking risk which is an example of humanity winning over this crisis

MAJOR CHALLENGES FOR NGO

• Lack of Long-Term Strategic Planning-NGO lacks long term strategic plans. Many NGO appears on specific demand or goals during covid-19.
• No Media Support-Many NGO lacks media attention which discourages them and also media plays source of information and awareness which NGO can’t utilize in spreading their service/achievements in that regard.
• Lack of Feedback and Social Support Suppresses Enthusiasm-Feedback mechanism and social support to NGO plays negative role on their performance.
• Unwillingness to Cooperate with Each Other-One vital issue which came is that there is lack of coordination between NGO itself. Example-Food providing NGO and Child Nutrition NGO can coordinate and work better.
• Politization of NGOs-It has been seen that many a times NGO is being politicized and sometime government seems pro to some NGO and vice versa.
• NGO Lacks Professional Experience of Working in a Particular Area for eg in animal welfare one needs medical knowledge or NGO dealing with hazardous substance need specific expertise.
• Dependence on donors: This is the biggest weakness of NGO which makes them unsustainable. Most of the NGOs are dependent on external funds for running their projects.

GOVERNMENT AND NGO

• In India according to NGODARPAN which is maintained by NITI AYOG there are 93133 NGO registered with government .These are turning to be the game changer in crisis management.
• Everybody agrees that we are living through unprecedented times. The nature and scale of the crisis which the COVID-19 pandemic has led to is unparalleled. In such a scenario, solutions are unlikely to come from past experiences or best practices.
• The biggest source of strength now is the partnerships Government has built over the years. The situation at hand calls for stakeholders to come together, work side by side and support each other.
• This is precisely what one of the Empowered Groups created by the government for comprehensive action and integrated response to contain the pandemic has been doing since it was formed. The mandate of the group is to coordinate with three key stakeholders — NGOs, the private sector, and international development organizations — and help them in charting the best course of action
• Central government announced that in order to ensure NGOs and charitable organization have uninterrupted supply of food grain, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has been directed to provide wheat and rice to these organizations at the open market sale rates (OMSS) without going through the e-auction process.

CONCLUSION

• The NGOs, given their deep connect with spatial and sectoral issues, were a natural partner in COVID crisis. There is nobody better placed than the NGOs to understand the pulse at the grassroots and engage closely with communities. Around 92,000 organizations were urged to partner with district administrations and contribute to the response efforts.
• Chief Secretaries of all states were requested to engage NGOs in relief and response efforts and designate state and district nodal officers to coordinate with them. The approach was to leverage the strength and reach of the local NGOs in identifying priority areas for action and avoid duplicity of efforts.
• The response from NGOs was heart-warming. They have been actively setting up community kitchens, creating awareness about prevention, and physical distancing, providing shelter to the homeless, the daily wage workers, supporting government efforts in setting up health camps and in deputing volunteers to deliver services to the elderly, persons with disabilities, children, and others.
• An outstanding contribution of NGOs was in developing communication strategies in different vernaculars which went a long way in taking awareness measures to the community level. Akshaya Patra, Rama Krishna Mission, Tata Trusts, Piramal Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Action Aid, International Red Cross Society, Prayas, Help-age India, SEWA, Sulabh International, Charities Aid Foundation of India, Gaudia Math, Bachpan Bachao Andolan, the Salvation Army, and Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India are some partners who have embodied the whole-of-society approach in COVID-19 response management.
• Civil society, and voluntary and non-government organisations constitute the backbone of the collective articulation of citizen interest in a democracy. As facilitators, mediators, and advocators of this interest, they have put people before everything else during this crisis. Their resource limitations did not slow them down in reaching to those in vulnerable situations.
• The support provided by NGOs to government initiatives has been timely and invaluable, and their commitment unshaken. They also have worked hand-in-hand with the private sector. We are certain that the vertical and horizontal partnerships built over the decades and strengthened during the joint fight against this pandemic will deliver greater results in times to come.

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Section : GS Paper - 3 (Science & Technology)

Topic: CHAMPIONS: Technology Platform to empower MSMEs

IN NEWS

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the technology platform CHAMPIONS which stands for Creation and Harmonious Application of Modern Processes for Increasing the Output and National Strength.
• As the name suggests,the portal is basically for making the smaller units big by solving their grievances, encouraging, supporting, helping and handholding.It is a real one-stop-shop solution of MSME Ministry.

ABOUT

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 1st june 2020 launched the technology platform ‘Champions’ which stands for Creation and Harmonious Application of Modern Processes for Increasing the Output and National Strength to empower MSMEs.
• It uses internet communication technology (ICT), such as telephone, internet and video conferencing, and other advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and data analytics for making the smaller units big by solving their grievances and supporting them through the present economic circumstances in the country.
• The architecture that uses ICTs has been created in-house with the help of the National Information Centre. The physical infrastructure for the platform, on the other hand, has been created in one of the ministry’s dumping rooms in a record time.
• In addition to launching the CHAMPIONS platform, the government also set up a network of control rooms called the Hub. This Hub is situated in New Delhi in the Secretary MSME’s office. This hub is connected to a set of 66 state level control rooms. These control rooms are connected via CHAMPION and via video conferencing solutions. The government has issued a detailed standard operating procedure (SOP) to the officers at these control rooms and the staffers have been deployed and trained to use them.

Detailed objectives of CHAMPIONS:

• Grievance Redressal: To resolve the problems of MSMEs including those of finance, raw materials, labor, regulatory permissions etc particularly in the Covid created difficult situation;
• To help them capture new opportunities: including manufacturing of medical equipments and accessories like PPEs, masks, etc and supply them in National and International markets;
• To identify and encourage the sparks: i.e. the potential MSMEs who are able to withstand the current situation and can become national and international champions.

History of MSME

• 1948-1991: In all the Policy Resolutions from 1948 to 1991, recognition was given to the micro and small enterprises, termed as an effective tool to expand employment opportunities, help ensure equitable distribution of the national income and facilitate effective mobilization of private sector resources of capital and skills. The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organisation [earlier known as Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO)] was set up in 1954 as an apex body for sustained and organised growth of micro, small and medium enterprises.

What are Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises ?

Definitions of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises In accordance with the provision of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006 the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) are classified in two Classes:

1. Manufacturing Enterprises-The enterprises engaged in the manufacture or production of goods pertaining to any industry specified in the first schedule to the industries (Development and regulation) Act, 1951) or employing plant and machinery in the process of value addition to the final product having a distinct name or character or use. The Manufacturing Enterprise are defined in terms of investment in Plant & Machinery.
2. Service Enterprises:-The enterprises engaged in providing or rendering of services and are defined in terms of investment in equipment.

ROLE OF MSMES IN INDIAN ECONOMY

The Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have been contributing significantly to the expansion of entrepreneurial endeavors through business innovations. The MSMEs are widening their domain across sectors of the economy, producing diverse range of products and services to meet demands of domestic as well as global markets.

• Employment As per the National Sample Survey (NSS) 73rd round conducted during the period 2015- 16, MSME sector has been creating 11.10 crore jobs (360.41 lakh in Manufacturing, 387.18 lakh in Trade and 362.22 lakh in Other Services and 0.07 lakh in Non-captive Electricity Generation and Transmission) in the rural and the urban areas across the country.
• Khadi activity is considered as potential tool for creation of employment opportunities at the doorstep of rural Artisans at very low capital investment. Immediately after independence, Khadi and Village Industries productivity became the grand symbol of nationalism. As such, Khadi came to be known not just a piece of cloth, but as a symbol of freedom and selfreliance. 3.1.4.2.KVIC is a Statutory Organisation tasked with the role of promoting the production and sale of Khadi. Over 2632 Khadi Institutions form the vast network are implementing the programmes of KVIC in India. Over 4.95 Lakh people are engaged in this activity. Out of which, over 80 percent are women Artisans.

Immediate steps towards revival of MSMEs-

The Reserve Bank of India has announced an indicative list of Covid-19 operations and business continuity measures to be set in place by scheduled commercial banks, nonbank financial companies, payment banks etc. Financial institutions have been directed to assess the impact of the health crisis on their balance sheets, asset quality, liquidity, etc. and Imagining A Composite MSME Policy Framework .It is important that the Ministry of MSMEs draws up a policy framework with multiple scenarios for how to continue business operations, commensurate to the spread of the virus. Governments worldwide have been using various policy measures to soften the economic blow rendered to their MSME sectors.

Measures To Mitigate Impact On MSME Labour Workforce -With 99 percent of MSME sector enterprises categorised as micro, it is clear that a large percentage of the 11 crore persons employed in this sector work in these vastly informal enterprises. Wage support could be made available to workers employed in such units. In Brazil, for instance, the government has decided to pay part of the salaries of Specific Measures For Self-Employed Or Owner-Managed Enterprises -It will be critical that the self-employed MSME units be given the safety net needed to navigate this crisis. There may be room to compensate (subject to a cap) self-employed businesses who can prove a decrease in turnover. The government can approve such compensation subject to demonstration of reduced income, for instance, by way Measures to Defer Utility and Social Security Payments Treatment of commercial electricity, water, and other utility bills could be examined especially in a scenario where lockdown is extended further. It will be extremely beneficial for units to be offered deferment or be required to only partially pay property taxes, rent and other utilities in order to avoid further costs and liquidity shortfal Measures To Enhance Access To Credit Formal credit channels such as banks and NBFCs will need to play a much larger role in making financing easily available to this sector. MSME credit already forms a very small percentage of total outstanding bank credit with credit growth to this sector showing signs of decline much before the pandemic struck.

WAY FORWARD

• India is managing the effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic using unprecedented public health and economic measures. With adverse outcomes looming large on the economy, relief interventions will need to minimize permanent damage to lives and livelihoods. Among the many parts of the economy that require immediate attention and succor, are the micro, small and medium enterprises.
• Apart from such measures, it is also imperative that a plan be drawn up to allow businesses to reopen activity, in a phased manner, with social distancing norms in force. Regular and surprise checks even may be introduced to enforce state guidelines. But it is important to now engage with the idea of slowly restarting business operations in areas with low infection levels.
• India's pioneering policies for the development of MSEs offers case studies for the developing world.Government is moving in, though not yet fully, from its role of direct interventions to that of a friend and facilitator. There is growing realization that protection in the form of reservation needs to be replaced with easy access to capital, technology and skill development to integrate the MSMEs more firmly with the domestic and global economy. And these are now the specific target areas of the Ministry of MSME.

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Section : GS Paper - 2 (Education)

Topic: Impact of Pandemic Covid-19 on Education: Challenges and Opportunities

IN NEWS

• UNESCO reports that 119 countries have closed schools nationwide since the COVID-19 outbreak, disrupting the learning and education of an estimated 897 million students. Millions more could be affected as more countries order school closures.
• Students worldwide are in danger of failing because of interrupted learning, fewer nutritional options provided by schools, and a decrease in safety and protection. The global scale and speed of the current educational disruption is unparalleled and, if prolonged, could threaten the right to education.

ABOUT

• Every year, education systems in many countries are disrupted because of climate-change-related natural hazards and armed conflicts. But the world has not seen this level of disruption of education spread so uniformly since the Second World War. Most governments have opted to close schools for the legitimate public health aim of containing the spread of virus. But governments are still obligated to respect the right to education.
• The scale and speed of the school and university closures represents an unprecedented challenge for the education sector. Countries around the world are racing to fill the void with distance learning solutions but the uncertain duration of the closures adds further complication to their efforts. These range from hi-tech alternatives like real-time video classes conducted remotely to lower-tech options such as educational programming on radio and television.
• While COVID-19 continues to spread it is important that communities take action to prevent further transmission, reduce the impacts of the outbreak and support control measures. The protection of children and educational facilities is particularly important. Measures taken by schools can prevent the entry and spread of COVID-19 by students and staff who may have been exposed to the virus, while minimizing disruption and protecting students and staff from discrimination.
• Parents are challenged by being unprepared for home or distance schooling. Gaps in child care might lead children to risky behaviors that impact their later learning, as reported by the UNESCO.
• As an immediate response to massive school closures, UNESCO has established a COVID-19 task force to provide advice and technical assistance to governments working to provide education to students out of school. The Organization is also holding regular virtual meetings with education ministers from all over the world to share experiences and assess priority needs.

CHALLENGES

• Interrupted learning: The disadvantages are disproportionate for under-privileged learners who tend to have fewer educational opportunities outside school.
• Nutrition: Many children and youth rely on free or discounted school meals for healthy nutrition. When schools are closed, nutrition is compromised.
• Protection: Schools provide safety for many children and youth and when they are closed, young students are more vulnerable and at risk.
• Parents unprepared for distance and home schooling: Parents are often asked to facilitate the children’s learning at home and can struggle to perform this task. This is especially true for parents with limited education and resources.
• Unequal access to digital learning portals: Lack of access to technology or good internet connectivity is an obstacle to continued learning, especially for students from disadvantaged families.
• Gaps in childcare: In the absence of alternative options, working parents are forced to leave their children alone when schools are closed and this can lead to risky behaviors, including increased peer pressure and substance abuse.
• High economic costs: Working parents are more likely to miss work to take care of their children when schools are closed. This is resulting in wage loss and decreased productivity.
• Increased pressure on schools and school systems that remain open: Localized school closures are placing additional burden on schools as parents and officials redirect children to schools that are open.
• Rise in dropout rates: It is a challenge to ensure children and youth return and stay in school when schools reopen, especially after protracted closures.
• Social isolation: Schools are hubs of social activity and human interaction. When schools are closed, many children and youth miss out on social contact that is essential to learning and development.

STEPS TO MITIGATE THESE IMPACTS

As governments prepare for indefinite school closures, UNESCO launched a Global COVID-19 Education Coalition to bring together public and private teams — including Microsoft and the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA) — "to help countries deploy remote learning systems so as to minimize educational disruptions and maintain social contact with learners.

• Leverage teachers and communities: Work closely with teachers, school staff and communities to ensure inclusive methods of distance learning. Community sensitization on the importance of girls’ education should continue as part of any distance learning programme.
• Adopt appropriate distance learning practices: In contexts where digital solutions are less accessible, consider low-tech and gender-responsive approaches. Send reading and writing materials home and use radio and television broadcasts to reach the most marginalised. Ensure programme scheduling and flexible learning structures.
• Consider the gender digital divide: In contexts where digital solutions to distance learning and internet are accessible, ensure that girls are trained with the necessary digital skills, including the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe online.
• Safeguard vital services: Girls and the most vulnerable children and youth miss out on vital services when schools are closed, specifically school meals and social protection. Make schools access points for psychosocial support and food distribution, work across sectors to ensure alternative social services and deliver support over the phone, text or other forms of media.
• Ensure return to school: Provide flexible learning approaches to students so that they are not deterred from returning to school when they re-open. Allow automatic promotion and appropriate opportunities in admissions processes that recognize the particular challenges faced by students. Catch-up courses and accelerated learning may be necessary for students who return to school.

OPPORTUNITIES

• One of the most important focuses should be on in-situ cross border education system enhancement by developing global education hub and infrastructure.
• Investing and developing government school and colleges with the help of technology.
• Bringing global education at the finger tip of the student so that they get global exposure without mobbing out.
• Appointing teachers which will help curbing educational crises as well as unemployment ratio.

WAY FORWARD

• While the pandemic has created an unprecedented challenge for humanity, it also offers a unique opportunity to re-imagine our schools. In the new way of life post-corona, we need to think afresh about the role of our schools.
• We can transform schools from being mere implementers of directions from the directorate or district headquarters to having a central role in our society. And, it would be a historical blunder if we miss this opportunity by not entrusting our schools with a bigger and bolder role to prepare children for a better life and not just for lessons from their textbooks.
• All governments should learn from this experience, and strengthen their education systems to withstand future crises, whether from disease, armed conflict, or climate change.
• This pandemic has shown that few governments have invested in their education emergency response, or have tested their capacity to manage disasters’ knock-on effects on education.
• Given the expectation of further shocks, this is not just desirable, but an imperative to protect children and youth’s right to education during unstable times.

"Never Let A Good Crisis Go to Waste" ………by Rahm Emanuel

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Section : GS Paper - 2 (International Relations - IR)

Topic: Opportunities brought by COVID-19 for INDIA to deepen its ties with AFRICA

• Context: In the 1950s, Africa was a prime target of India’s diplomatic initiatives to promote the nonaligned movement. India launched its first foreign aid programmes for Africa at the time and its first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, spoke of Africa and Asia as being “sister continents.”
• Recently, PM Modi for the first time attended NAM summit held via online video conferencing, which showcase the need of South-South co-operation especially in the time of corona crisis.

India reaching out to Africa via NAM

• PM Modi though skipped all earlier NAM meets but attended this one to reach out to help other countries with special focus on African continent in the state of crisis. It shows the importance of revival of NAM that India holds in the interest of Africa especially during COVID crisis.
• India has ensured medical supplies to over 59 member state of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), including most of the African countries.
• India’s medical diplomacy in times of COVID-19 across the world has earned its goodwill of the developed and developing world, enabled its reach as a soft power and as ‘Pharmacy of the World’.
• African countries have been special beneficiary and target of Indian medical diplomacy, besides other things, capacity building and health reach out programmes to African countries.
• Last decade has witnessed rise of China through its huge investments, assertive diplomacy and debt traps, but with incidents of supplying defective PPE material and racism against Africans through China has provided India with an opportunity to strengthen its presence in Africa.

A look into India-Africa Partnerships

India has been closely associated with Africa since pre-colonial era by shared colonial past and through rich contemporary ties and engagements.

Trade and Infrastructure

• Size of India-Africa trade was $62 billion in 2018 compared to $39 billion during 2009-10.
• India is currently Africa’s fourth-largest trading partner, and Africa’s third-largest export destination.
• Africa is the second-largest recipient of Indian overseas assistance with Line of Credit worth nearly $10 billion.

Defence and Security

• India launched the first-ever India- Africa Defence Ministers conclave this February at the Defence Expo 2020.
• Africa-India conducted Field Training Exercise-2019, called AFINDEX-19 i.e. Capacity building and training of African military officers in Indian institutes.
• More than 6,000 Indian soldiers are deployed in UN peace-keeping missions in conflict zones of Africa.

• Bilateral engagement includes solar energy development, scholarship to students, information technology, cyber security, maritime security, disaster relief and counter-terrorism.

Importance of Africa for India

• Resource Rich Africa: Africa’s rich natural resource has attracted many in the light of increasing global population.
• Long-term economic potential: Huge market, rising purchasing power, trade & investment opportunities (including energy, mining, infrastructure & connectivity) youthful demography which fulfils the need of human resource has made Africa a golden destination.
• International Support/Backing: Africa as a bloc of 54 countries in multi-lateral organisations can play a decisive role in International politics, which is significant to India for making its entry possible in permanent seat to UNSC and have backing on its side at various international organisations (e.g. UN, WTO etc).
• Energy security: India needs to diversify its energy sector and thus oil supplies from Africa can play an important role in India’s energy matrix. Apart from that, 25 countries have signed and ratified International Solar Alliance which addresses energy security in India and Africa.
• Increasing international engagement with African states: Every country wants to grab opportunities in Africa and thus deepening its ties. Japan hosted the 7th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD) in August 2019, Russia hosted the first-ever Russia-Africa Summit and with Chinese rise in Africa, engaging with Africa becomes extremely important for future aspects of India.

Opportunities

• China’s image has been tarnished by supply of faulty testing equipments and PPE material in a fight against COVID-19 and its discriminatory behaviour against Africans in Guangzhou. This has proven to be an opportunity for India in increasing the continuous supply of medicine to fight malaria, dengue etc and now COVID-19 has provided edge over China in medical diplomacy.
• Reviving NAM has provided India an opportunity to lead South-South Co-operation during COVID crisis.
• With US freezing the WHO funds blaming it for mismanaging the COVID crisis has left the African states vulnerable as they were most benefitted from WHO health programs, which again has made India’s efforts very crucial for Africa’s fight against COVID.
• Africa already prone to diseases like Ebola, HIV, Malaria, Dengue etc and with spread of Covid-19 has made the situation of syndemic. Thus, African states are in need of Medical help more than ever.
  Hence, it is clear that without outside support, Africa will find it very difficult to deal with corona crisis.

Challenges

• Dominance of China: India and China are competing with each other to build a stronger relationship with Africa. Though China has faced recent diplomacy embarrassment but with dominance and strong financial availability it can re-bounce to its position in Africa.
• Financial limitations of India: India was already lagging behind its targeted growth rate and corona crisis has added worries to that, which hinders India’s Medical diplomacy efforts to poor nations.
• Health crisis: With high rates of HIV, malaria, diabetes, and malnourishment prevalent, a large number of Africans were already facing a health and economic crisis corona is making it severe, thus India not just require to help Africa in pandemic aspect but need to provide continuous Medical help to bring Africa out of that health crisis situation.
• India’s Corona cases on rise: Corona cases in India are on sharp rise, with its rapidly growing demand of medicine and other related equipment at home, India could find it difficult to reach out to African nations.
• Attack on Africans in India: India will have to make sure that racist incidents that dented image of China should not happen in the country.

Way Forward

• The common health challenges in India and Africa makes it possible to develop a partnership with mutual benefit for maximum gain. Here are some suggestions-
• India’s Fund for Africa: India could create/allocate a new fund for Africa and adapt its grant-in-aid assistance to reflect the current priorities which could include support for new investment projects by Indian entrepreneurs in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors in Africa.
• Hosting virtual summits: India could consider structuring a series of virtual summits in zonal groups with African leaders across the continent over the next few months that could both provide a platform for a cooperative response to the pandemic.
• The Ministry of External Affairs has already extended the e-ITEC course on “COVID-19 Pandemic: Prevention and Management Guidelines for Healthcare Professionals” to healthcare workers in Africa which will guide them managing the state of crisis.
• The Aarogya Setu App used for mapping COVID-19 is technological achievements that could be shared with Africa.
• Since the state of education in Africa is poor and movement of African students to India for higher education has been disrupted, India should expand the e-VidyaBharti (tele education) project to establish a Virtual University for African students.
• It is crucial for India to regularly check with its African partner and continue its combined supply of development packages, medical supply, technology transfer, human resource development, and infrastructure development, in order to be truly recognised as an ‘alternative development partner’.

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